Critical Duty 9mm Barrier Penetration Test

Published on July 22, 2013
Duration: 9:38

This video details a comprehensive barrier penetration test for Hornady Critical Duty 9mm ammunition, conducted by an experienced firearms reviewer. The test utilizes Clear Ballistics gelatin and various barriers, including wood and 16-gauge steel, to evaluate the ammunition's performance against real-world obstacles. Comparisons are made with other ammunition types like Speer Gold Dot, offering valuable insights for defensive handgun users.

Quick Summary

An expert firearms reviewer tested Hornady Critical Duty 9mm Luger +P (135gr) and Speer Gold Dot 9mm (147gr) for barrier penetration. Critical Duty performed well through wood but underperformed through 16-gauge steel, while Gold Dot showed more consistent penetration through both barriers.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Ammunition Overview
  2. 01:52Wood Barrier Penetration Test
  3. 02:58Steel Barrier Penetration Test
  4. 04:01Comparison with Ball and Gold Dot Ammunition
  5. 07:25Conclusion and Final Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Hornady Critical Duty 9mm perform through a wood barrier?

The Hornady Critical Duty 9mm Luger +P (135gr) easily penetrated a 3/4-inch wood barrier, achieving nearly 21 inches of penetration in ballistic gelatin with minimal deformation.

What was the performance of Hornady Critical Duty 9mm through steel?

Through 16-gauge sheet metal, the Hornady Critical Duty 9mm Luger +P (135gr) showed significantly reduced penetration (around 9 inches) and heavy deformation, performing less effectively than expected.

How did Speer Gold Dot 9mm compare in barrier tests?

The 147-grain Speer Gold Dot demonstrated better penetration through 16-gauge steel (13 inches) and wood (17.5 inches) compared to the Hornady Critical Duty, making it a potentially superior choice for barrier penetration.

What are the key takeaways regarding defensive 9mm ammunition and barriers?

Testing shows that barrier materials like steel can drastically affect 9mm ammunition performance. Heavier bullet weights like 147-grain Gold Dot may offer more reliable penetration through certain barriers than lighter, faster rounds.

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